Beijing
Seoul, Pyongyang to use new inter-Korean temporary roads
www.chinaview.cn 2003-09-17 22:36

  SEOUL, Sept. 17 (Xinhuanet) -- South Korea and Democratic People'sRepublic of Korea (DPRK) military officials Wednesday agreed to use the roads being built through the western and eastern areas of the demilitarized zone (DMZ) as new temporary roads.

  The agreement was clinched at the 8th Inter-Korean Military Authorities' Meeting held Wednesday on DPRK's side in the truce village of Panmumjom.

  According to a Communique released by South Korea Ministry of Defense, the two sides agreed to use two sects of the Gyeongui road and Donghae road as new inter-Korean temporary corridors whenthe construction work of the two sects finish.

  Before the two sides signing the agreement on passage of the inter-Korean railways and roads, the new temporary roads will be only used to transport equipment and materials to the DPRK, the Communique said.

  In order to transport necessary equipment and materials the DPRK needs in the re-linking work, Seoul and Pyongyang opened a western temporary road parallel to Gyeongui line earlier this year.

   Moreover, they opened another makeshift road in the eastern part of the DMZ to transport South Korean tourists to the DPRK resort Mount Geumgang.

  The two sides also agreed to set up a communication hotline line along the Donghae line within one month this meeting, the communique said.

  Militaries of the two sides last year opened a hot line along the Gyeongui line, which was the first of its kind after the Korean War (1950-1953).

  Seoul and Pyongyang earlier agreed to complete construction of Gyeongui railway and road as well as Donghae road by the end of this year. The Donghae railway will be re-linked in year of 2004. Enditem

  


 Related Stories